Harvest ahead of schedule

Wisconsin’s corn and soybean harvests remain ahead of schedule. Federal officials say 54 percent of the state’s corn is out of the fields, up from 36 percent a week ago and 18 percent more than the average for the past five years.

The USDA reduced its estimate of the nation’s corn harvest last week, as the drought continued to get worse in Wisconsin and other state. However, the Badger State got some relief during the weekend, as anywhere from an inch and a half to six inches of rain fell. It’s still well below the precipitation shortages for the year, but officials say the rain was definitely a help.

Wisconsin’s soybean harvest continues to do well with 80 percent of the beans in, up from 75 percent a week ago.

Pasture conditions still reflect the increased dryness as of last week. The USDA says only four percent of Wisconsin’s pasture lands were in good shape and 78 percent were either poor or very poor.

Forecasters say more rain is possible throughout Wisconsin today and likely statewide on Wednesday.